Strongly Veined Carbon Nanoleaves as a Highly Efficient Metal-Free Electrocatalyst

Effective integration of one‐dimensional carbon nanofibers (CNF) and two‐dimensional carbon sheets into three‐dimensional (3D) conductive frameworks is essential for their practical applications as electrode materials. Herein, a novel “vein‐leaf”‐type 3D complex of carbon nanofibers with nitrogen‐doped graphene (NG) was prepared through a simple thermal condensation of urea and bacterial cellulose. During the formation of the 3D complex CNF@NG, the graphene species was tethered to CNF via carbon–carbon bonds. Such an interconnected 3D network facilitates both the electron transfer and mass diffusion for electrochemical reactions. “Green” leaves: A novel “vein‐leaf”‐type 3D complex of carbon nanofibers with nitrogen‐doped graphene (CNF@NG) was prepared through thermolysis of biomass materials. The interconnected 3D network of CNF@NG facilitates both the electron transfer and mass diffusion for electrochemical reactions. As a result, the CNF@NG complexes demonstrate remarkable electrocatalytic activities toward the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR).